Senior Planner / Urban Designer | Community, Campus & Placemaking

We are seeking a Senior Planner / Urban Designer to join our growing planning practice in either Charlotte, NC or Columbia, SC. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative, collaborative professional who is passionate about placemaking, community engagement, and designing environments that create lasting impact.

The ideal candidate brings 5–8+ years of planning or urban design experience and enjoys working across a diverse portfolio that includes local governments, higher education campuses, faith-based organizations, preservation initiatives, and community development projects. You'll collaborate closely with clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams while helping shape meaningful places from vision through implementation.

Role and Responsibilities

Collaborate with planning leadership to develop and execute planning and urban design projects.
Lead and support master planning, urban design, and community planning initiatives.
Conduct research, site analysis, and planning studies to inform design recommendations.
Facilitate public meetings, workshops, charrettes, and community engagement efforts.
Prepare compelling presentations, graphics, reports, and planning documents.
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, community stakeholders, and public officials.
Support business development efforts and contribute to proposal development.
Travel as needed to support project and client needs.
Contribute to a collaborative, creative, and design-focused studio culture.

Experience and Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.
Master's degree preferred.
5–8+ years of professional planning, urban design, or architecture experience.
Experience working with municipalities, higher education, community development, or campus planning projects preferred.
Strong design, graphic communication, and presentation skills.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Rhino, CAD and/or Revit; GIS experience is a plus.
Experience with comprehensive plans, design guidelines, zoning, form-based codes, or community planning initiatives preferred.
Excellent written, verbal, and public presentation skills.
Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple projects in a collaborative environment.
AICP certification (or pursuit of certification) or architectural licensure is preferred.

Salary and Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
Comprehensive benefits package.
Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
Collaborative, design-driven studio culture.
Opportunity to shape communities through meaningful planning and urban design projects across the Southeast.